Is fantasy cricket legal in India? State-by-state.
Skill-based fantasy formats have been held lawful in most Indian states. A small number of states restrict paid entry. Local rules can change; this page is updated regularly and you should re-check before each paid contest.
The full read.
The general position
Indian courts have generally held that skill-based fantasy formats are lawful games of skill, not gambling. The Supreme Court and several High Courts have ruled on this. The position is settled for most of India.
States that restrict paid fantasy entry
A small number of states restrict paid fantasy entry. The list below is maintained from state public-gambling acts and recent high-court rulings. Where the position is contested or a bill is pending, we say so.
- Andhra Pradesh — Public Gambling Act, 2024 amendments; paid fantasy entry restricted.
- Assam — Assam Game and Betting Act, 1970; paid fantasy entry restricted.
- Odisha — Odisha Prevention of Gambling Act, 1955; paid fantasy entry restricted.
- Telangana — Telangana Gaming Act, 1974; paid fantasy entry restricted.
- Tamil Nadu — Tamil Nadu Gaming Act, 1930 (notified rules amended 2020–2023); select formats restricted.
- Sikkim — Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Act, 2008; paid fantasy entry restricted.
- Nagaland — Nagaland Prohibition of Gambling and Promotion and Regulation of Online Games of Skill Act, 2016; paid fantasy entry restricted.
How to re-check
Before each paid contest, verify the latest position for your state. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology publishes periodic updates on online gaming rules. State-level public-gambling acts are amended from time to time; this page is updated when changes are notified, but the primary source is the state gazette.
If you are outside India
This site is intended for users in India. If you are accessing from outside India, the legality of fantasy cricket contests depends on your local jurisdiction. This desk does not provide legal advice for non-Indian jurisdictions.